Team Winston-Salem Becomes Winston-Salem’s Professional Cycling Team

The Twin City is home to several sports teams, like the Winston-Salem Dash and the Carolina Thunderbirds. Now one more joins the ranks as Team Winston-Salem becomes Winston-Salem’s professional cycling team!

January 8, 2025

What is Team Winston-Salem?

Team Winston-Salem is a cycling team headed by team director Jon Hamblen and comprised of 30 professional cyclists from across the nation. Jonathon Kelly, the team organizer, said the team informally formed over the summer and competed in road races and cyclocross.

• Take Note: Among the team’s cyclists is the 2023 USA U23 champion, Owen Cole.

Team Winston-Salem’s Team Director

Team director Jon Hamblen is a former professional cyclist and experienced coach who has led cyclists to national championships and worked with Wake Forest University’s cycling team. Hamblen is also the director of Velocious Sports, a Winston-Salem cycling development league.

When Does Team Winston-Salem Compete?

Team Winston-Salem’s first competition as an official team will be the Hincapie Donaldson Crit in Greenville, SC, in February. The team will compete in 30+ races this spring and summer.

• Where Are They Going? Race competitions will take them as far as Colorado, California, and even Quebec, Canada!
• Local Races: Team Winston-Salem will compete in the Wake Forest Road Race in March and the Winston-Salem Cycling Classic in May.

Why Base It Out of Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has a rich cycling legacy, highlighted by the annual Winston-Salem Cycling Classic and the region’s reputation as an ideal location for training and competitions.

Why It Matters

Having a professional cycling team based in the city will boost Winston-Salem’s visibility on the national stage. The team will also provide a potential avenue for youth cyclists like those in Hamblen’s Velocious Sports.

Team Favorites

Hamblen told our team he loves cycling routes heading to Pilot Mountain or Hanging Rock State Park! You can also find Team Winston-Salem’s favorite local routes on their website.

Check out these other local sports teams that call Winston-Salem home!